1Illinois
Lowest22.6%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,568
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $16,975
- Net income (annual)
- $58,025
Tax year 2026 · state vs state
Delaware vs Illinois Income Tax Comparison (2026)
On a $75,000 salary (single filer, 2026), you pay $41 less state income tax a year in Illinois than in Delaware, which is about $3 a month. At $150,000 the gap is $1,279 in favor of Illinois.
Delaware: up to 6.6%Illinois: 4.95% flatUpdated October 10, 2026
Compare Delaware and Illinois for your income
Estimate for education only, not tax advice. 2026 federal and state rules, standard deductions, no local taxes. How we calculate.
State comparison
Comparing 2 states, sorted by lowest overall tax rate.
2Delaware
22.7%
Overall effective tax rate
- Net
- Federal
- State
- FICA
- Federal income tax
- $7,670
- State income tax
- $3,609
- Payroll tax (FICA)
- $5,738
- Total tax
- $17,017
- Net income (annual)
- $57,984
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💰 Monthly breakdown
Your take-home pay, spread across the year
Illinois
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,415
Monthly take-home$4,835
Delaware
Monthly gross$6,250
Monthly tax$1,418
Monthly take-home$4,832
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates, the standard deduction for your filing status and no local taxes. Rankings use state income tax only.
Delaware vs Illinois: how the two systems differ
| Delaware | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Wage income tax | Progressive, 6 brackets | Flat 4.95% |
| Top rate | 6.6% | 4.95% |
| Lowest rate | 2.2% | 4.95% |
| Deductions and credits (single) | $3,250 standard deduction, $110 personal credit | $2,925 personal exemption |
State income tax and take-home pay at every salary
The same salary can leave you with different take-home pay depending on the state. This table applies each state’s 2026 rules to a single filer with no pre-tax contributions.
| Income | DE state tax | IL state tax | Difference | DE take-home | IL take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $988 | $1,340 | $352 less in Delaware | $25,297 | $24,945 |
| $40,000 | $1,543 | $1,835 | $292 less in Delaware | $32,777 | $32,485 |
| $50,000 | $2,098 | $2,330 | $232 less in Delaware | $40,257 | $40,025 |
| $60,000 | $2,653 | $2,825 | $172 less in Delaware | $47,737 | $47,565 |
| $75,000 | $3,609 | $3,568 | $41 less in Illinois | $57,984 | $58,025 |
| $100,000 | $5,259 | $4,805 | $454 less in Illinois | $73,921 | $74,375 |
| $150,000 | $8,559 | $7,280 | $1,279 less in Illinois | $105,232 | $106,511 |
| $250,000 | $15,159 | $12,230 | $2,929 less in Illinois | $168,023 | $170,952 |
Single filer, 2026, federal standard deduction. Take-home is after federal, state and payroll tax. No local taxes.
Married filing jointly
| Income | DE state tax | IL state tax | Difference | DE take-home | IL take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $3,285 | $3,423 | $138 less in Delaware | $61,338 | $61,200 |
| $100,000 | $4,935 | $4,660 | $274 less in Illinois | $79,776 | $80,050 |
| $150,000 | $8,235 | $7,135 | $1,099 less in Illinois | $114,951 | $116,050 |
| $250,000 | $14,835 | $12,085 | $2,749 less in Illinois | $182,634 | $185,383 |
Married filing jointly, 2026, federal standard deduction. Uses each state's joint brackets where they differ.
Does the lower-tax state change as income rises?
For a single filer, Delaware is the lower-tax state up to roughly $75,000 of income, and Illinois becomes the lower-tax state above that.
Rates side by side
Delaware (single filers)
| 2.2% | $2,001 to $5,000 |
| 3.9% | $5,001 to $10,000 |
| 4.8% | $10,001 to $20,000 |
| 5.2% | $20,001 to $25,000 |
| 5.55% | $25,001 to $60,000 |
| 6.6% | Over $60,000 |
Illinois (single filers)
| 4.95% | Over $0 |
- Delaware: Wilmington also levies a 1.25% city wage tax on people who work there.
Full details for each state: Delaware income tax calculator and Illinois income tax calculator. Federal rates are on the 2026 federal tax brackets page.
Delaware vs Illinois FAQ
Which has lower income tax, Delaware or Illinois?+
Illinois is lower at $75,000: $3,568 of state income tax versus $3,609 in Delaware. At $150,000 it is $8,559 in Delaware and $7,280 in Illinois. For a single filer, Delaware is the lower-tax state up to roughly $75,000 of income, and Illinois becomes the lower-tax state above that.
How much more do I keep on $100,000 in Delaware versus Illinois?+
A single filer keeping $73,921 a year in Delaware would keep $74,375 in Illinois after federal, state and payroll tax. The difference is $454 a year, or $38 a month.
How do the Delaware and Illinois income tax systems differ?+
Delaware uses progressive rates up to 6.6%; Illinois uses a flat 4.95% rate. State deductions and exemptions also differ, which changes how much income is taxed.
Are local taxes included in this Delaware vs Illinois comparison?+
No. It covers federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax only. City, county, sales and property taxes are not included, and they can change the real cost of living in each state.
Should I move from Delaware to Illinois to save on taxes?+
State income tax is one cost among many. Property and sales taxes, housing, insurance and wages also differ, and you may owe tax to both states in the year you move. Use this comparison as one input and confirm details with a tax professional.
Sources
- Tax Foundation: 2026 state individual income tax rates and brackets
- IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026
Last checked October 10, 2026. Confirm with your state tax agency before filing.
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Estimates for education only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for a tax professional or your state revenue department.